Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Green Bay, WI
Issued by NWS Green Bay, WI
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049 FXUS63 KGRB 220317 AFDGRB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1017 PM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026 Updated aviation portion for 06Z TAF issuance .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated thunderstorms will exit northeast Wisconsin by shortly after midnight. - Showers and storms (40-60% chance) are expected over north- central to eastern WI on Saturday, mainly in the afternoon. - Dry weather expected Sunday and Monday, with active weather returning for the middle of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 145 PM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026 Severe Weather Threat Through This Evening...An area of stratus is slowly being replaced by more convective cloud types as a cold front approaches from the west. Already radar returns are popping up in the area where some partial clearing has occurred across north-central and western Wisconsin, just ahead of the cold front. This activity is expected to increase in coverage and intensity this afternoon as the partial clearing works its way east, allowing instability to build across eastern and northeast Wisconsin. Forecast instabilities are expected to rise to 1-2 J/g, with the highest values across east- central Wisconsin. Bulk shear looks a bit better than yesterday, clocking in at 20-30 knots, with the best values across east- central Wisconsin coincident with the best instability. That being said, the window for clearing and building instability appears to be fairly short looking at satellite imagery with the best instability and shear south of our area; therefore, the pulling back of the slight risk out of the area per SPC seems appropriate. Current thinking is any storms that develop would be pulsy, with a threat for strong to severe storms this afternoon into this evening in the 3-9PM time frame. The main threat would be damaging winds and large hail. Locally heavy rain will also be possible with any storm. The threat from flooding given the recent dry spell seems to be low; however, if an area gets repeated rounds of activity the threat could increase. The threat greatly diminishes this evening with the loss of daytime heating. This Weekend...Northwest, cyclonic flow will prevail across the Great Lakes. A shortwave trough moving through this flow will create chances (20-60%) for showers and a few storms across north- central and eastern Wisconsin on Saturday, mainly during the afternoon and early evening. Weak deep-layer shear will prevent significant storm organization, keeping the severe weather risk low; however, inverted-V soundings and steep low- level lapse rates would promote some gustier winds and small hail in any stronger shower/storm. A Dry Period...High pressure will then build in Saturday night, providing dry weather across the region Sunday into Monday. Next Week...another shortwave trough is forecast to move across the region late Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing the next chance for showers and thunderstorms. Instability appears modest with this mid-week feature, keeping severe probabilities low. Temperatures into next week will stay fairly close to late- summer norms, with daily highs mostly ranging from the 70s to lower 80s and overnight lows in the upper 40s to lower 60s, with a couple nights with lows in the low-mid 40s across northern WI this weekend. && .AVIATION...for 06Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1016 PM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026 A cold front is exiting northeast Wisconsin and over Lake Michigan late this evening. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will have or about to exit by TAF issuance time. Winds will shift to the northwest as the front passes. Scattered VFR clouds will likely persist into the overnight hours before clearing occurs for a short time. Patchy ground fog is possible, particularly over the northwoods (RHI). Clouds increase on Saturday morning as an upper disturbance dives into the region from the northwest. While sct-bkn MVFR ceilings could move into far north-central WI after 10Z, expect low end VFR clouds to build with daytime heating in the 15-16Z timeframe. Expect scattered showers and isolated storms to develop over northeast WI in the 19-23Z timeframe which could impact GRB/MTW so added a prob30 group consequently. ATW is on the western edge of the shower potential, but will continue to monitor trends. Northwest winds will be a bit breezy on Saturday with gusts to 20 kts at all terminals. Clearing skies are anticipated after 00z Sun. && .MARINE... Issued at 145 PM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026 Persistent S/SSW winds will build waves to 2-4 feet on Lake Michigan late this afternoon. A few 5 foot waves are possible in the open waters. A few gusts to 25 kts possible this afternoon as well. Conditions look to be just shy of Small Craft Criteria, so will hold off on an advisory. As winds turn to the NW this weekend, a few gusts to 25 kts will be possible, especially near Death`s Door on Saturday. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION.....Kurimski AVIATION.......MPC MARINE.........Kurimski